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Description

Is there any vehicle with as many stories to tell as the VW Microbus? Camper, transporter, pickup truck, house on wheels, tour guide, whatever it is, the VW bus has done it. This 1968 Volkswagen bus is just a wonderful way to grab all of that history and keep it for yourself, all wrapped in a familiar yet surprisingly stylish body.

A vintage VW resto shop has obviously lavished a lot of time and attention on this bus and the results are very impressive. It's definitely low-key with its serious gray and white paint scheme, but the paint is fresh, deep and all-around great. Note the clean, unadorned lines accentuated not by graphics or art but by laser-straight bodywork and deep, shiny paintwork that only comes from pros doing their thing. The two-tone combination is quite period-correct and gives the bus a jaunty appearance despite the more somber colors. Other things like the painted bumpers and big chrome VW emblem in the center are trademarks that VW faithful can recognize from a mile away and a canvas sunroof up top makes it as bright and airy inside as you'd expect. Tinted glass also provides a modicum of privacy as well as adding to the sleek look that makes the VW so special.

The interior is really where these vehicles shine. Totally restored, it offers great colors and basic accommodations for passengers, but the style is impressive. The bright orange upholstery is a wonderful contrast to the gray exterior and the original-style vinyl will last practically forever. Proper side panels and door panels give it a very finished look and the original-style headliner overhead keeps it authentic. The front seats offer a commanding view of the road completely free of obstructions, and the bus-like driving position is actually comfortable for long trips, which is really what these buses were designed to do. Basic instrumentation was provided by the factory, and this one has been augmented with much more important gauges like a cylinder head temperature gauge, an oil temperature gauge (remember the VW is air cooled), oil pressure gauge, and a voltmeter. You'll also be pleased to see an upgraded stereo system with an AM/FM/CD head unit and speakers in the kick panel ahead of the front seat. And in addition to three rows of seats, there's a reasonably large and nicely upholstered package shelf atop the engine bay in back.

The new crate engine is a relatively high-performance version of the Beetle's venerable flat-four. Displacing 1776 cc, it's big enough to provide some added punch without sacrificing reliability and with twin-port heads, it breathes a lot more freely which means more power. Oversized carburetors help with power production and the engine bay is as neatly detailed as the rest of the bus. A mild cam and upgraded pistons help deliver energetic performance and a remote oil filter and Empi oil cooler are on hand for improved reliability. Headers and a performance muffler extract every bit of horsepower from the little boxer engine and it has a great exhaust note that's instantly familiar and will bring a smile to your face. The underside is in very good condition and with a 4-speed manual transmission, it is a lot of fun to drive. Standard steel wheels with color-matched hubcaps and 185/65/14 radials look traditional and custom at the same time.

If you're a fan of VW buses, this is a great one that might be considered a resto-mod. Everything that was done only enhances what was already great, making it one of the best we've seen. Call today!